Baseball season is barely more than a month old, but what does that matter when fresh over/unders have been released for the upcoming NFL season?
Thanks to Sportsbook.og, we have an early look at what Las Vegas believes will be the win totals for each NFL team.
I’ll take a look at each team this week and will continue today with the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills: Over/under 8 (-115 over/-115 under)
This number can’t possibly be any better set. The Bills are the perennial eight-win team and this roster is once again prepped to be 8-8. The Bills have a decent offense and an above-average defense. If Tyrod Taylor can improve on a better-than-expected 2015 season, then it’s more than likely the Bills will win nine games. If Taylor battles injuries or doesn’t improve, then it’s plausible the Bills will take another step back. Head coach Rex Ryan loves to keep his teams floating around .500 and this year will be no different. I believe they’ll be 8-8 again this year, but with a little luck, they can reach 9-7. I anticipate the Jets to take a giant step back, so I’m banking on the Bills to manage that extra win and finish with nine wins. – Over
Miami Dolphins: Over/under 7 (-125 over/-105 under)
I loved the Dolphins’ chances last season to compete for an AFC East title. That blew up in my face. So…I’m going with the Dolphins again as being a surprise team this season. At some point Ryan Tannehill is going to emerge as an above-average starting quarterback. Right? The weapons are there. And Miami addressed protecting him with a better offensive line in the draft. That defense should be better this season, too. Can we trust the Dolphins? No, but with a new coach, maybe there’s a new attitude. The talent is there. Now’s the year for it to produce a better product. – Over
New England Patriots: Over/under 10.5 (-115 over/-115 under)
Since 2003, the Patriots have failed to win 11 or more games only twice. If Tom Brady’s suspension holds up, this year may be the most difficult season to get to 11 wins again for the most dominant team in the NFL. There’s a big question mark if Brady’s four-game suspension will actually happen. If it does, the Patriots will navigate three of those four contests at home, against Buffalo, Miami and Houston, after opening the season at Arizona. I’m not too worried about those games, since New England can easily go 2-2 in those games even without Brady. However, what I’m a bit nervous about is Brady not getting enough offseason work and showing some rest after sitting out. And let’s not forget that at some point Brady will eventually show some signs of slowing down. All signs point to the under, but there’s just something about the Patriots that has me second-guessing that. I’m trusting the Patriot-way to somehow, some way, reach 11 wins. – Over
New York Jets: Over/under 8 (-115 over/-115 under)
With Brady’s suspension, the division is wide open for another team to take the top spot. Don’t count on the Jets being that team. Last year was a surprise to me as I thought they would take a step back. That step back will happen this season. The offense can’t possibly be that good again. I don’t know who will play quarterback and while that defense was stellar last season, it will have a rude awakening without assistance from the offense this season. I just don’t see this team being back in the same position as last year. Players in 2015 had career years. Don’t expect that same production from last year. This is one of my most confident picks heading into 2016. – Under
